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Defendant sticks Forumto murder storyA mystery man known only as Toni holds the key to the murders of a Reno County family of four, a defense attorney says.Hutchinson (ap)— Murder defendant Paul Kiser admits being at a home where four peo-Ele were slain, but he helped um it down only under threats from two men he claims committed the killings, his lawyer told a jury.But prosecutors say they have a problem with Kiser's story: There is no evidence a man Kiser knows only as Toni and his equally mysterious companion exist.Kiser, 23, of rural Penalosa, is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one each of aggravated burglary and aggravated arson.He is accused of killing Tim Peters, 33, his wife, Deanna, 31, and their children, Joshua, 6, and Angela, 4, at their home near Lerado in neighboring Reno County last Nov. 5.Three forensic pathologists testified today about autopsies performed on the Peters family.Deanna Peters died of a single shotgun wound, Tim Peters was shot three times, Joshua died of a shotgun wound to the head and Angela was killed by a blunt trauma to the head, the pathologists testified. The two children had high levels of carbon monoxide in their bodies but not enough to indicate if they died from the fire, said Dr. George Thomas, Shawnee County coroner.The jury of six men and six women heard opening statements and the first seven witnesses Tuesday in the trial.Paul Kiser was not an active participant in the break in. He was not an active participant in the killings. He was unable to stop the two men. He couldn't. He was told to assist in obtaining diesel fuel to burn the residence down because he hadn't done anything else, defense attorney Francis Meisenheimer told the jury.Meisenheimer recountedKiser's version of the events, beginning with an encounter with two strangers at a bar in Turon. One, a tall man with a hoop earring, was named Toni; Kiser couldn't identify the other;The three drove around for a while, smoking marijuana and drinking, Meisenheimer said. They then went to the Peters residence, about four miles from Kiser's home, at Kiser's sugges tion, but the two men found Kiser's shotgun in his truck and committed the killings.Then, on Toni's orders, Kiser splashed the house with diesel fuel and set the house on fire, the defense lawyer said. They drove back to Kiser's house, where Toni said he would kill Kiser if he ever talked about the crimes. The man then beat him up and vanished.Reno County Atty. Tim Chambers, in his opening statement,d Dreseisaid he would present evidence that Kiser was seen leaving the Turon bar alone alnd was not followed when he left.Among the witnesses called by the prosecution Tuesday was Kingman County Undersheriff Randy Hill, who testified he answered two calls from Kiser's home shortly after 3 a.m. on Nov. 5 reporting a break-in.About four hours later, Hill said, he returned to Kiser's home in answer to another call. Kiser told him then that he had been present when four people were killed.at gubiPeople interested early look at the caning for governor primary election w chance next week iiA pre-primary { forum is schedule March 31 at Kansa Woodruff Audit* Kansas Union.Each known can Kansas governor's : invited to the fori sponsored by th Women Voters La glas County and tl lennium.'So far, nine candi a w aJournalBeginning Department will bring interested c the law enforce Participants will recruits. Our goa opportunity to le Specific top sibilities, police ] applicants wil Department s ph We are sei individuals who lt;The academy wi weeks, and onlt; Tuesday and Th 1994, through zens, and acadc apply.Applicator An application Department Tra66044.
Newspaper Details
Lawrence Journal World
Lawrence, Kansas, US
Wed, Mar 23, 1994
Page 49
Full Page
Clipped by
Heather H.
USA 16 Apr 2022
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